An international standard Clinical Trials Unit is being established at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) in Karachi, which will not only promote research activities but also help in securing foreign funding.
According to details, the unit will be set up on the upper floor of the hospital and will be fully compliant with the guidelines set by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).
Executive Director of NICVD, Professor Tahir Saghir, expressed these views during a conversation with *Express News*. He stated that the Clinical Trials Unit will be established on the upper floor of the old OPD building of NICVD Karachi, where research will be conducted in accordance with international standards.
He said that in the past, children had to be taken to neighboring countries for the treatment of heart diseases, which was a major financial issue. Through this research unit, the quality of treatment will improve, and new research will be conducted. The project will be completed under the Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) model with the cooperation of civil society.
He further said that the unit will be developed by a private company and handed over to NICVD, with their role limited to monitoring. Alongside the Clinical Trials Unit, a conference hall and library will also be established.
He added that the lower floor of the old OPD will be converted into an emergency ward, expanding its capacity. Currently, the ER has 80 beds, which will be increased to 160–180. A large modified hall will be set up in the new emergency for all departments. A new OPD is also under construction, expected to become operational by October or November this year, with a separate entrance from outside the hospital to reduce internal pressure.
Despite reduced federal funding due to tensions with India, the Sindh government has allocated Rs. 2.5 billion for the Pediatric Block. He informed that this amount will be used to complete two underground levels and two floors of the pediatric block under construction, which will specifically include an emergency unit, a ward, and an ICU for children. At present, there is only one ward for children where three children are forced to share a single bed.
On this occasion, he expressed hope that by the early months of 2026, positive changes will begin to emerge at NICVD through these projects.
